The 2026 NBA Rookie of the Yr (ROY) race continues to spring new surprises every week.
After weeks of absence, Dylan Harper is making a comeback into the highest 5 after a wonderful stretch since he returned from a calf damage. The No. 2 choose has been stellar for the San Antonio Spurs, who’re with out Victor Wembanyama.
Thanks for the submission!
In the meantime, Derik Queen and Cedric Coward have gained a place every after spectacular performances since our final ROY energy rankings. After making it to No. 1 for the primary time final week, Cooper Flagg stays on the summit with former Duke teammate and No. 4 choose Kon Knueppel.
•
This is a recap of how the rookies fared over the past week, which prompted the shake-up in our newest 2026 NBA Rookie of the Yr energy rankings.
NBA Rookie of the Yr 2026: Newest Energy Rankings (Dec. 11)
Simply missed out:
#10 Maxime Raynaud
#9 Ryan Kalkbrenner 9
#8 Ace Bailey
#7 Ryan Nembhard
#6 VJ Edgecombe
#5 Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs
Final week’s rating: NA (-)
Season stats: GP 14 | PPG 13.4 | RPG 3.1 | APG 3.9 | SPG 0.9 | TPG 1.6
FG 48.0% | 3-PT FG 27.3% | FT 71.7%
Dylan Harper returns to the highest 5 of the 2026 NBA Rookie of the Yr energy rankings for the primary time since Nov. 6. The No. 2 choose missed vital time with a calf damage, however hasn’t missed a beat since he got here again on Nov. 26. Harper’s performances have solely improved since then.
Over the previous week, he performed three video games, averaging 12.7 factors, 3.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists on 43.6% capturing. That included a 22-point, six-assist game-winning effort in opposition to the Pelicans on Monday, adopted by a 13-point night time in NBA Cup quarterfinals in opposition to the Lakers on 50.0% capturing.
Harper’s downhill sport amongst guards might simply rank among the many finest throughout the league at this stage. With an 11-3 document, he has the very best successful proportion amongst rookies.
#4 Jeremiah Fears, New Orleans Pelicans
Earlier rating: 2 (↓2)
Season stats: GP 25 | PPG 15.4 | RPG 3.4 | APG 3.1 | SPG 1.4 | TOV 2.2
FG 43.6% | 3-PT FG 36.9% | FT 79.8%
Jeremiah Fears loses a few spots on account of a mix of things. His personal manufacturing and effectivity dipped whereas the gamers who handed him had higher weeks. In three video games this previous week, Fears averaged 13.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 5.0 apg and 1.0 spg, capturing 34.1% and 42.9% from deep.
He made appreciable jumps together with his playmaking and 3-point shot, however his general proportion fell off over the previous two video games in opposition to Brooklyn and San Antonio. Fears managed 19 factors on 6 of 24 capturing from the ground in that stretch.
#3 Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies
Final week’s rating: 4 (↑1)
FG 45.1% | 3-PT FG 31.8% | FT 83.8%
Cedric Coward features a spot for the second consecutive week. The No. 11 choose averaged 17.0 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 4.0 apg and a pair of.0 tpg final week in two video games. He shot 50.0% regardless of his ongoing struggles from 3, from the place he went 11.1% on 4.5 makes an attempt.
Nonetheless, Coward did a implausible job of leaning into his different strengths offensively. He showcased his means in transition, pick-and-roll and on the rim in halfcourt possessions to place collectively a powerful two-game stretch.
Coward additionally impressed together with his rebounding. He grabbed a career-high 14 boards in Friday’s win over the LA Clippers.
#2 Derik Queen, New Orleans Pelicans
Final week’s rating: 3 (↑1)
Season stats: GP 25 | PPG 12.9 | RPG 6.4 | APG 3.9 | SPG 1.0 | BPG 0.8 | TOV 2.3
FG 49.6% | FT 79.6%
Derik Queen had one of the best week for any rookie. He averaged 17.0 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 6.7 apg and 1.3 bpg, capturing 58.6% in three video games. It propelled him to No. 2 on the ROY energy rankings for the primary time.
Queen had a record-shattering 33-point triple-double with 4 blocks in opposition to the Spurs on Monday. He shot 11 of 15 from the sector and 11 of 13 from the free-throw line. Queen grew to become the one rookie to attain 25+ factors, 10+ rebounds, 10+ assists and three+ blocks in an NBA sport. He is additionally the one rookie with a triple-double this yr.
Virtually each week, he has one or two performances, proving the Pelicans proper about offloading a 2026 unprotected first to draft him thirteenth. At this charge, the strain shall be on that rookie subsequent yr to carry out to Queen’s requirements.
#T-1 Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets
Final week’s rating: 1 (=)
Season stats: GP 24 | PPG 18.0 | RPG 5.5 | APG 3.3 | SPG 0.8 | TOV 2.4
FG 45.9% | 3-PT FG 40.3% | FT 90.9%
Kon Knueppel retains his place because the No. 1 choose for the fifth straight week. After hitting a stoop, Knueppel bounced again over the previous two video games. He averaged 17.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg and 5.5 apg on 48.0% capturing, together with 36.8% from past the arc and 100.0% from the free-throw line.
He scored 21 factors and 7 assists in a 111-86 blowout win over the Raptors on Friday, which was his spotlight sport. Knueppel is rapidly changing into the franchise centerpiece and the point of interest of the Hornets’ plans regardless of rostering LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller.
Regardless of spectacular performances from others, he stays the main scorer amongst rookies not simply this previous week, but additionally on the season.
#T-1 Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks
Final week’s rating: 1 (=)
Season stats: GP 24 | PPG 17.3 | RPG 6.4 | APG 3.3 | SPG 1.3 | BPG 0.7 | TOV 2.2
FG 47.5% | 3-PT FG 25.3% | FT 82.2%
Cooper Flagg has began a streak in our ROY energy rankings at No. 1. He matched Kneuppel this previous week together with his two-game stretch, averaging 17.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.0 spg and 1.0 bpg, capturing 46.2%.
He is additionally closing the hole on Knueppel within the rookie scoring title race. Whereas Knueppel impresses together with his playmaking past scoring, Flagg depends on his two-way play. The No. 1 choose can also be doing it within the clutch. At 18, Flagg is already incomes a fame as among the finest in crunch time.
He appears to be like as poised as ever and his rising consolation is permitting him to carry out extra constantly.
Edited by Arhaan Raje
